Scientists have discovered that glial cells play a crucial role in regulating the activity of sensory neurons and enabling animals to perceive their environment. Without glia, sensory neurons are unable to coordinate an appropriate response to stimuli.
A study found that prenatal exposure to famine can cause epigenetic changes in humans that persist throughout life, increasing the risk of adverse health outcomes. Children conceived during the Dutch Hunger Winter had less DNA methylation of the IGF2 gene than their unexposed siblings.
Research from the University of Bath found that marriage dowry payments and medical expenses are major causes of poverty in Bangladesh. The study surveyed 2,000 households and found that almost half moved out of poverty over a decade, but around one-fifth remained chronically poor.
Researchers identify HARP, the first motor protein that rewinds defective DNA, preventing gene expression and potentially treating Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia. The discovery expands our understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying this devastating genetic disorder.
Data from Kenya shows a delay between decreased malaria transmission and mortality rates. The study found that when transmission is high, the disease burden falls mainly on small children, but when transmission decreases, the burden spreads throughout childhood, leading to an increased proportion of children with severe cerebral malaria.
Recent studies suggest common gene variations, including MYH9, contribute to the elevated risk of kidney disease in African Americans. Variations in the MYH9 gene are found in up to 60% of African Americans with kidney disease, compared to 4% of European Americans.
The new journal Epigenetics & Chromatin publishes research on heritable changes in gene expression without altering DNA sequence. High-quality studies on human telomeres and the RNAi pathway have been published, shedding light on epigenetic inheritance and chromatin-based interactions.
UT Southwestern researchers found that tumors growing around nerves require cooperation from immune cells to grow. A new therapy targeting the immune system has shown promising results in treating previously untreatable tumors.
Researchers at Monell Center found that changes in blood triglyceride levels after a high-fat meal can indicate susceptibility to diet-induced obesity. The study suggests that such a simple blood test could be used to identify individuals at risk, particularly children, and target obesity prevention resources.
Researchers used data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and Compton Gamma Ray Observatory to study the Bullet Cluster, where two large clusters of galaxies collided. The results show that the antimatter fraction in the cluster is less than three parts per million, ruling out significant amounts of antimatter on scales of about 65 m...
Researchers at University of Bristol discover how bodies respond to internal distress signals, revealing potential for targeted stem cell therapy in heart patients. Kinin-sensitive EPCs identified as key to repairing blood supply and improving outcomes.
CU-Boulder researchers have developed a new method to observe electrons in action, using ultrafast lasers to chart chemical reactions and understand how atoms move and electrons rearrange. This breakthrough has significant implications for fields like catalysis and alternative energy.
Researchers studied the 'living fossil' tree species Symphonia globulifera, which contains genetic imprints of rain forests under climate change. The study reveals patterns in genetic diversity that suggest tropical forests responded differently to past climate conditions, with some populations persisting despite forest changes.
Scientists have identified a missing-link molecule that explains the process of plasticity and could lead to targeted therapies for learning and memory. The discovery of myosin Vb, a molecular motor, reveals its role in delivering new receptors to synapses, strengthening connections between nerve cells.
Researchers found extensive bidirectional transfer of MHC molecules between donor and recipient cells, making transplanted organs 'invisible' to the immune system. This discovery has major medical implications for organ transplantation, potentially reducing rejection and increasing effectiveness.
A study found that the World Health Organization's (WHO) budget allocations do not align with global disease burdens. The WHO allocated 87% of its budget to infectious diseases, while non-communicable diseases received only 12%. This disparity in funding is concerning, particularly for injuries and violence, which are largely underfunded.
The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission's failure to agree on conservation measures puts Eastern Pacific tuna populations at risk. The Commission's own scientists have warned of declining fish stocks, and market forces exacerbate the problem as fish prices rise with decreasing stock levels.
A University of Missouri engineer is working to enhance the accuracy of a landmine radar system while minimizing false alarms. He aims to create consistent radar signature patterns for landmines, differentiating them from clutter objects, to increase detection rates and reduce unnecessary military interventions.
Research finds urokinase plasminogen activator promotes atherosclerosis growth and dilation, while plasminogen loss protects against disease. The study suggests new ideas for preventing or treating artery disease.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded nearly $17 million to fund 16 Science Education Partnership Awards (SEPAs), which will support hands-on science education activities for tens of thousands of students and the public. The SEPA program aims to improve public understanding of NIH-funded medical research and encourage you...
The Halpin Foundation has awarded a research grant to Dr. Elena Torban, focusing on podocytes and their role in preventing proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome. This funding will support her investigation into the cell and molecular basis of this kidney disease.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine report Gleevec's potential as the first effective treatment for neurofibromatosis. The anti-cancer drug has shown dramatic results in clinical tests and compassionate use cases, reducing tumor size by up to 80%.
A team at Duke University Medical Center has identified microsporidia as a sexually reproducing fungus that causes chronic diarrhea in AIDS patients and other host animals. The findings could help develop effective treatments against these common global pathogens.
A previously undescribed fungus has been linked to the deaths of over 100,000 hibernating bats in the northeastern United States. The fungus, commonly found on bat skin and wings, is believed to be a major contributor to the decline of North American bat populations.
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that overweight women are more likely to report having sex with men than their normal-weight counterparts. The research suggests that physicians should not make assumptions about a woman's sexual behavior based on her weight.
A new Swedish study found that adjusting clocks to summer time increases the risk of myocardial infarction in the following week by about five percent. The readjustment back to winter time on the last Sunday in October reduces the risk, albeit to a lesser extent, due to the extra hour's sleep.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center found that an individual's underlying odor signature persists regardless of diet, providing a potential method for identifying individuals. This discovery could lead to the development of electronic sensors for early disease detection and diagnosis.
The incidence of malaria has fallen dramatically in The Gambia over the past five years, with significant decreases in malaria-positive slides and admissions. Improved measures to prevent malaria, including increased use of insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying, are believed to be major contributors to this decline.
New Northwestern University research reveals that women's physical appearance can impact their chances of winning votes, particularly for men. The study found that female politicians who are seen as both attractive and competent are more likely to win votes, while male politicians with approachable features tend to perform better in el...
A new study reveals that preschoolers critically depend on gender information when making comparisons with peers, leading to lasting negative consequences on behavior and self-concept. Children who see a same-gender or gender-unidentified peer perform better tend to improve their performance and increase positive self-evaluations.
A team of researchers has characterized a large number of parasite proteins that may prove useful in the development of a human malaria vaccine. These proteins are essential for sporozoite development, which can be genetically inactivated to stimulate an immune response.
Women experiencing severe gestational hypertension may give birth to sons with a lower risk of developing testicular cancer. Hormonal imbalances and increased levels of pregnancy-related hormones like human Chorionic Gonadotropin may contribute to this protective effect.
Researchers found that personality traits are predictive of perceived relationship satisfaction and success, but other measures of relationship quality offer additional insight. The study suggests that looking beyond self-reported data can provide a more nuanced view of how romantic relationships are functioning.
Researchers found a positive correlation between learning performance and immune response in bumblebees, contradicting previous predictions. Bumblebee colonies with strong learning abilities also showed improved resistance to bacterial infection.
Meteorites containing ancient magnetic records have provided new insights into the early history of planets. The study suggests that small bodies in the solar system were large enough to melt and form magnetic dynamos, overturning previous ideas about planet formation.
Researchers used a novel technique to conclude that Smilodon fatalis was likely a social animal, living and hunting like lions. The study found large social species made up a far larger proportion of attracted animals than expected.
Researchers develop new optical technique, anatomical optical coherence tomography (aOCT), to accurately measure airway narrowing and diagnose breathing disorders. The technology also helps understand congenital heart defects in developing embryos.
Researchers sequenced Öetzi's mtDNA genome, finding that he belonged to a rare or extinct lineage. The study provides an unprecedented look at ancient human ancestry and sheds light on the frequency of genetic lineages over time, revealing potential gaps in knowledge left by the extinction of certain variants.
Between 1999-2007, malaria incidence and mortality declined significantly in The Gambia thanks to increased funding and targeted interventions for pregnant women and young children. Proportions of malaria-positive slides decreased by up to 82% and deaths attributed to malaria fell by 100% in some hospitals.
A recent study found a remarkable 75% decrease in severe malaria deaths from 10.8 to 1.2 per 10,000 between 2015 and 2020 along the Kenyan coast. The decline is attributed to improved treatment, bednet usage, and mosquito breeding site management.
Research reveals that infants can differentiate between individual speech sounds and recognize the auditory forms of words from an early age. This knowledge helps them develop vocabulary and eventually grammar, even if they don't understand the word meanings yet.
Researchers have identified sustained spikes in turbulence as the primary condition initiating soil erosion on land and in water. The team developed a method to quantify the impact of turbulence on soil erosion, which can be applied to predict particle movement and pollution spread.
Researchers found that females were more often chosen as leaders of intragroup conditions while males were preferred to lead intergroup situations. Female leaders were also viewed as being more effective in maintaining positive relationships within the group.
Researchers found Hurricane Ike significantly reshaped the seafloor, erasing shell-gravel ridges and creating 'erosional pits' up to five feet deep. The storm also mobilized sediments over large regions, with most movement associated with the back surge.
A new study reveals that up to one in 17 men in the Mediterranean basin may have a Phoenician ancestor, with a genetic signature distinct from other trading and settlement expansions. The analysis of Y-chromosomal lineages suggests that the Phoenicians contributed at least 6 percent to modern populations.
HER2-positive breast cancer can be more aggressive due to the suppression of its own regulator gene Lig-1. Researchers found that when Lig-1 levels are low, cancer cells grow faster.
Researchers Drs. Will Kalkhoff and Stanford W. Gregory Jr. studied nonverbal vocal communication in presidential debates, finding that subtle cues can predict dominance. They noted a 'rope-a-dope' debating style similar to boxing legend Muhammed Ali's technique, where candidates conserve energy until the end of debates.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has been awarded $430,000 by the Department of Homeland Security to develop its precision indoor location system. The funding will enable WPI to further explore enhancements for its existing radio-frequency and radar-based tracking technology.
The study uses electronic tracking to monitor the movements of Atlantic bluefin tuna, revealing new insights into their migratory patterns, physiology, and population structure. The data show that fish from different populations forage together on common grounds before moving to distinct spawning areas.
Researchers found that allergy symptoms may protect against cancer by removing foreign particles and substances from organs that come into contact with them. However, the relationship between asthma and lung cancer is a special case where asthma actually increases lung cancer rates.
Computer scientists at UC San Diego have created a software program that can duplicate keys from photographs, highlighting the vulnerability of key-based security systems. The system uses computer vision techniques to extract the numeric code from the key's bumps and valleys, making it possible to create identical copies.
A study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology has identified twenty-three differentially expressed proteins between gastric cancer and normal tissues, serving as potential candidate markers. These biomarkers may aid in early diagnosis, treatment targets, and patient prognosis.
Researchers have developed a numerical model to recreate the Rhône Glacier's state in 1874 and predict its future evolution. The model predicts a significant increase in equilibrium line altitude due to climate change, leading to a 50% loss of volume by 2060 and complete disappearance by 2100.
A national survey found that patients generally satisfied with their care but identified areas for improvement in pain management and discharge instructions. Hospitals with higher nurse-to-patient ratios and more satisfied patients tend to provide better quality care.
A new model for Grand Canyon erosion proposes that tectonic uplift drove incision, while opal formation on Mars suggests interaction with water occurred over a longer period. Fossils from the Burgess Shale have preserved soft tissues through mineralization, providing insights into ancient life.
A new study explores how men and women perceive online and offline sexual and emotional infidelity, finding that men felt sexual infidelity was more upsetting and women felt emotional infidelity was more upsetting. The results also reveal differences in beliefs about sex and love between men and women.
Researchers Edgar de Graaf and Jeroen De Knijf analyzed patterns in web surfing behavior to reduce the number of results and improve efficiency in data mining. They developed methods to detect relevant patterns quickly and effectively within large quantities of semi-structured data.
A study published in Neurology found that people with obesity and pre-existing health conditions may experience a delay in being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, or have more severe symptoms at diagnosis. The study suggests that doctors should carefully consider new neurological symptoms in patients with chronic diseases.
Scientists at the University of Warwick have found a novel signalling molecule that could stimulate hundreds of new antibiotic pathways in up to 50% of Streptomyces bacteria. The discovery was made using NMR technology and genome mining, and has potential to unlock new antibiotics to combat growing bacterial resistance.
Neuroscientists at Arizona State University developed pulsed ultrasound techniques to remotely stimulate brain circuit activity, offering insights into noninvasive neurostimulation of brain circuits. The findings provide a new tool for modulating neural circuit activity, potentially treating post-traumatic stress disorders, traumatic b...